Bloom Wherever God Plants You

Dean Joshua Mastine Nisbett reflects on God’s involvement and purpose in his life. He reminisces over four decades of ordained ministry in two parishes.

Several parallels are made between the author and Biblical characters.

The call of Jeremiah while still in his mother’s womb.
Hannah, dedicating her child to God’s service and Dean Nisbett’s parents baptizing him when he was nineteen days old.
Amos, the dresser of sycamore trees called to be a prophet and Dean Nisbett’s call from the grafting of fruit trees to assist in the grafting of souls.
The anointing of David, to be king of Israel and the election of Dean Nisbett as the second rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church.
Abraham’s sacrificial testing of his son Isaac, and the near-death experience of Jevon, Dean Nisbett’s son.
Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and Joshua who led St. David’s into their “Promised Land.”
Haggai’s call for the rebuilding of the temple, and Dean Nisbett’s congregation building a house of worship.
Jesus’ passion death and resurrection and Dean Nisbett’s challenges at the onset of his ministry.
The author also identified with no room at the INN at Bethlehem, and the flight to Egypt by the Holy Family.

Often times the lectionary readings resonates with a current experience of the author. Through prayer, meditation, radical trust in God, creative and mutual ministry, difficulties were turned into opportunities and a little church was transformed into a healthy one.
Reflecting on a pilgrimage to Ghana, Dean Nisbett gives a graphic description of the African Slave Trade. He agonizes over the Anglican Church’s role in the business but is convinced God planted him in the said church to help change the narrative.